Why smartphones could be dead in 5 years

Driving this desire to kill the smartphone is the fact that people want bigger devices — which often come with power-draining screens — but also desire longer battery life, according to Ericsson. It said that this “contradictory demand” highlights the needs for better solutions. AI could be just that, while wearable electronic assistants will also gain in popularity, according to 85 percent of those surveyed. One in two believes they will be able to talk to household appliances as they do to people. “Smartphone users believe AI will take over many common activities, such as searching the net, getting travel guidance and as personal assistants,” Ericsson’s report said. AI products are already on the market. Amazon’s Echo is a device that people can talk to and receive information from. It…